San Pedro motel fire victim dies from burn wounds

A 69-year-old man, one of 14 victims of this week's fire at the Palos Verdes Inn in San Pedro, has died from severe burn wounds, Los Angeles police confirmed Wednesday.

The man's name was not released pending notification of family. He died at a local hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Detective Gus Villanueva said that because the fire was deliberately set, a murder charge can be filed against the arsonist who started it.

There is no suspect in custody.

Officials believe accelerant was used to ignite the fast-burning blaze. Heavy smoke was spotted by firefighters at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

One woman suffered a fracture after jumping out of the building. Firefighters were able to raise ladders to the second-story windows before anyone else jumped.

Altogether, 14 people were taken to hospitals.

The 14-room motel on Palos Verdes Street near 10th Street offers low-cost rooms. Most of the inhabitants live there for months or years, according to residents.

The Long Beach chapter of the American Red Cross provided housing and food for the displaced residents who were not injured.

The cause of the fire remains under active investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery-Homicide Division and the Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson Section.

Anyone with information is urged to call Robbery-Homicide Detectives Louis Zorrilla or Maria Perez at 213-486-6890 during regular business hours. During nonbusiness hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters also can contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 with a cell phone.

All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD."

Tipsters also may go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the promps.